EXTENSION
Extend Your Knowledge • Extend Your Service • Extend Your Reach
WHAT IS EXTENSION?
Extension is a ministry of Community Bible Church designed to make college level training in Bible, Theology, and Practical Ministry available through the ministry of the local church. A person who completes the program will have received the equivalent of the core Bible and Theology course at a typical Bible College. The program balances academics and practical ministry skill
development.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Extension is for the average adult layperson who wants to be more fully equipped for service or leadership in the Church but can’t make the major life adjustments required to attend Bible College or Seminary. It’s also for ANYONE who wants to be more effective in his or her service to Christ and the cause of the gospel. Participation will involve a real commitment of time and energy, but the course schedule is designed to make that commitment manageable for almost anyone.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The curriculum consists of 22 courses and up to five Special Topics Seminars. Students proceed through the program one class at a time and can complete the whole program in three years. Most courses are laid out over six weeks, and will meet once a week for two hours on Tuesday evenings. A few of the courses are practical projects that will be completed independently or in small project teams. As a rule of thumb, students should expect to put in another four to six hours a week outside of class.
WHAT DO I GET FOR COMPLETING THE PROGRAM?
The main thing you will get is real, serious equipment for service in the body of Christ. CBC’s Extension is not currently accredited, and we don’t grant degrees, but graduates of the program will receive a diploma recognizing their
accomplishment. If otherwise qualified in terms of character and experience, graduates of the Extension may be candidates for ordination by CBC for certain roles in full time ministry.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
When compared to similar education at a traditional Bible College, where a single 3-‐hour course would cost more than a thousand dollars, Extension is a bargain. Tuition is $300 per course, which is discounted to $200 for members of Community Bible Church. Tuition is due and payable before the first session of each course.
Special Topics Seminars are free to students enrolled in the preceding or following course or in the annual enrollment plan.
Students can save about 10% by opting for the annual enrollment plan, and pay
$1,980 for a year’s courses ($1,320 for CBC members). This annual bill is due in 12 monthly installments of $165 ($110 for CBC members). Using the annual enrollment plan will reduce the cost of the three year program by $660 ($440 for CBC members).
The spouse of a registered student will receive an additional discount of $50 per course. That means a married couple would pay $350 per course rather than $400. Under the annual enrollment plan, the total bill for a married couple in the first year will be $2,370 paid in twelve monthly installments of $197.50. There is a one-‐time enrollment fee of $50, which is due with the student’s application.
Students are also responsible for purchasing their own books and supplies. We estimate the cost of books at about $50 per course.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
The curriculum is divided into three major departments: Extend Your KNOWLEDGE, Extend Your SERVICE, and Extend Your REACH. KNOWLEDGE involves developing your understanding of the content of the Bible and sound Biblical Doctrine (Theology). You’ll also be trained in the skills of correct Bible interpretation. SERVICE is about developing the ministry skills you need to lead and shepherd other Christians, including teaching, preaching, and discipleship. REACH is about extending the gospel to people around us, near and far, envisioning ourselves as missionaries wherever we happen to be.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
Complete the attached application and return it with your $50 enrollment fee to:
Community Bible Church Extension
6005 Edmondson Pike Nashville, TN 37211
When we receive your application and enrollment fee, we will automatically register you for the next course in the program and send you additional details about that course, including syllabus and textbook information.
About the Director
Douglas H. Searle holds the Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree in Systematic Theology and Academic Ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Washington. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Doug has attended Community Bible Church since 1975 and has served on the staff of the Church as Youth Director, Worship Leader, and Director of Administration.
EXTENSION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Extend Your Knowledge • Extend Your Service • Extend Your Reach
Courses are numbered in the order in which they occur in the program. 100 level courses are taught in the first year, 200 level courses in the second year, and 300 level courses in the third year.
EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE
102 Sound Interpretation 1
An introduction to inductive Bible study methods and principles of interpretation (hermeneutics) with special attention to New Testament epistles. Students will learn and practice the skills of careful observation, sound interpretation, and correct application.
106 Sound Interpretation 2
A study of methods and principles of hermeneutics with attention to literary form and genre, especially poetry and narrative.
107 Biblical Theology Project
Studying independently, the student will develop a paper summarizing the theological contribution, argument and structure of a New Testament epistle.
204 Old Testament Survey 1
A survey of the content, historical background, and introductory issues of the Old Testament, covering the first seventeen books (from Genesis through Esther).
207 Old Testament Survey 2
A survey of the content, historical background, and introductory issues of the poetic and prophetic books of Old Testament (from Job through Malachi).
304 New Testament Survey
A survey of the content, historical background, and introductory issues of the New Testament.
306 Introduction to Biblical Languages
An introduction to the basic features of Greek grammar designed to improve the student’s Bible study skills. Students will be acquainted with essential tools including lexicons, grammars, and computer software.
EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THEOLOGY
101 Doctrine of Scripture
A study of biblical Christian teaching about the nature and correct use of the Bible. Special consideration will be given to the concepts of revelation,
inspiration, authority, and sufficiency of scripture. The history and principles of canonicity will also be introduced.
105 Doctrine of God
An introduction to Christian trinitarian theology with attention to the divine attributes as well as the specific natures and relationships of the three persons.
201 Doctrines of Man and Sin
A study of biblical Christian understanding of the nature of the human creation, our subsequent fall into sin, and the resulting condemnation.
205 Doctrine of Salvation
A study of the biblical Christian doctrine of God’s grace revealed in the person of Jesus Christ for the purpose overcoming the sinful and condemned state of human beings. This course will also involve a defense of the concept of penal substitution as the principal model of the atonement.
208 Systematic Theology Project
Working independently or in small teams, students will develop a plan for a quarterly youth or adult Sunday School course on a theological topic.
301 Doctrine of the Church
A study of biblical Christian understanding of the nature, purposes,
governance, and ministries of the Church of Jesus Christ with special attention to various biblical models and metaphors.
305 The Narrative of the Bible
A survey of the Biblical narrative of God’s interaction with humanity, designed to demonstrate its unity around the central theme of the gospel.
EXTEND YOUR SERVICE
103 Personal Spiritual Leadership
Basic concepts of biblical counseling and discipleship designed to equip the student for leadership in small groups or one-‐on-‐one.
202 Expositional Preaching and Teaching
An introduction to the principles and methods for developing and delivering preaching and teaching presentations from a passage of scripture.
Consideration will be given to a variety of teaching settings.
206 Theological Teaching
An introduction to the principles and methods for developing and delivering topical theological instruction. Consideration will be given to scope and sequence problems in course development.
303 Ministry Project
Working with Church leaders, students will develop a mission statement and plan for implementation for a ministry in which they currently serve.
EXTEND YOUR REACH
104 Life is a Short Term Mission
An overview of the individual Christian’s responsibilities in propogating the gospel, including methods of personal evangelism.
203 Seminar on Missions
Principles of cross-‐cultural ministry.302 Reproductive Gospel-‐Centered Church
An overview of the qualities of effective local church ministries.
307 Missions Project
Students will report on their participation in developing and leading a short term mission project.
SPECIAL TOPICS SEMINARS
400 Special Topics Seminar
As they matriculate through the program, students will have several opportunities to study additional topics with adjunct faculty from leading institutions.
EXTENSION CALENDAR
Extend Your Knowledge • Extend Your Service • Extend Your Reach
FIRST YEAR
September 7 – October 12, 2010 101 Doctrine of Scripture October 19 – November 23, 2010 102 Sound Interpretation 1 December 27 – January 1 400 Special Topics Seminar (selected dates)
January 4 – February 8, 2011 103 Personal Spiritual Leadership February 22 – March 29, 2011 104 Life is a Short Term Mission April 12 – May 17, 2011 105 Doctrine of God
May 24 – June 28, 2011 106 Sound Interpretation 2 July 8 – 9, 2011 400 Special Topics Seminar July 12 – August 16, 2011 107 Biblical Theology Project
SECOND YEAR
August 30 – October 4, 2011 201 Doctrines of Man & Sin
October 18 – November 22, 2011 202 Expositional Preaching and Teaching December 27 – 30, 2011 203 Seminar on Missions &
Church Planting December 30 – January 7, 2012 400 Special Topics Seminar (selected dates)
January 10 – February 14, 2012 204 Old Testament Survey 1 February 21 – March 27, 2012 205 Doctrine of Salvation April 10 – May 15, 2012 206 Theological Teaching May 22 – June 26, 2012 207 Old Testament Survey 2
July 5 – 7, 2012 400 Special Topics Seminar July 10 – August 14, 2012 208 Systematic Theology Project
THIRD YEAR
August 28 – October 2, 2012 301 Doctrine of the Church
October 16 – November 20, 2012 302 Reproductive Gospel-‐Centered Church
December 27 – 29, 2012 303 Ministry or 307 Mission Project December 30 – January 4, 2012 400 Special Topics Seminar (selected dates)
January 8 – February 12, 2013 304 New Testament Survey February 19 – March 26, 2013 305 The Narrative of the Bible April 9 – May 14, 2013 306 Introduction to Biblical Languages May 29 – July 2, 2013 303 Ministry or 307 Mission Project
